UAW has no opinion on possible GM/Chrysler deal
When asked about the possible GM/Chrysler buyout deal, Ron Gettelfinger, the head of the United Auto Workers Union said, "I have absolutely no opinion on that at all." Really?! No opinion?! No comment, we could understand. But no OPINION? This could be one of the most significant moves in the future of your organization and the U.S. auto industry in general. And you have no opinion? That seems odd to say the least. In his defense, perhaps Gettelfinger just didn't have the desire to SHARE his opinion, especially not during an interview on Detroit radio station WJR. The UAW, and its position on a possible acquisition of the Chrysler group by GM has been widely cited as a major roadblock in the process. Besides being the head of the UAW, Gettelfinger also has a seat on the supervisory board of DaimlerChrysler. He did say that rumors of the possible sale surprised the hourly workers who were just expecting to hear details of Chrysler's cost-cutting plan.
Gettelfinger also addressed Ford wanting special concessions in its upcoming summer contract talks by saying, "They just went through this huge financing. They've got a ton of cash. They've got great leadership at the top of that company," "They've made some tough decisions but so have we. That company is in great shape." We're not sure what websites Mr. Gettelfinger is reading, but we've yet to find one describing Ford as being in "great shape".
[Source: Automotive News, sub req]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
David 12:57PM (2/21/2007)
The UAW is the Primary culprit to blame for the current state of Detroit Vehicles (Ford, GM and Chrysler). It is in their interest to make sure the vehicles aren't too reliable, because the subcontractors who make parts for Mr. Goodwrench, Motorcraft and Mopar are also union infected. It is the union's belief that it is the responsibility of Detroit to pay the workers, regardless of product being produced (union members still being paid without having a job to go to). I understand that recruiting new UAW members at Asian manufacturing plants in the USA is failing, so the UAW senior management needs to make their money from somewhere.
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JD Antosiak 12:58PM (2/21/2007)
Gettelfinger's deep ties to both General Motors and DaimlerChrysler will definitely help fuel a takeover by GM. If you still are gainfully employed by DC and are working at a target downsizing facility like the Dodge truck plant in Warren I recommend you get your hands on some Miller Fall Protection products to help you break the fall.
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JC3 1:24PM (2/21/2007)
If he were to share his opinion it would weaken his bargaining position.Beaurocrats are notoriously opinionless.
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Aki 12:59PM (2/21/2007)
Gettelfinger is a leech. He's been insisting for the longest time that Chrysler doesn't need healthcare cost cuts, saying the company was doing fine. Now Chrysler cut workers because it's hemorrhaging so badly. UAW has outlived its usefulness, and only brings progress down. The industrial revolution ended long time ago, and unions aren't serving the purpose they used to.
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Doug R 1:27PM (2/21/2007)
How ironic it would be that 2 former rivals in every way join together to save each other from losing everything. Would that make them both solely American? Not sure. I'm a Mopar guy and I'd be all for it.
Folks, we need to get back to buying American. Intricacies aside, they're still American based and of American heritage. Don't fall for all the "lack of quality" hype you hear from anti-American Toyota/Honda worshipers. Every brand has their querks. Chrysler, Ford, and GM make great products. Anyone saying otherwise isn't giving you an objective opinion.
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Doug R 1:45PM (2/21/2007)
#1 and #3, dudes, you're absolutely right about the UAW. Couldn't have said it better myself. The big 3 should've been aware what was a stake years ago and stood up to them then.
That being said, the situation is what it is. Have they made non-union oriented mistakes? You bet, I've been pretty critical of my flagship brand (Chrysler) when I felt it warranted it. But they (the big 3) need our help.
Chrysler, Ford and GM contributed significantly to the economic engine that created this country and made it what it is today, the shinning city that we Americans are so blessed to be a part of. Most of the time, we have no idea how good we have it here.
The big 3 provided the transportation that 3+ generations used to better their lives and provide for their families. We can't abandon them now, we owe it to them. They're not trash products folks, don't listen to the childish rants fo those who know nothing about what they say.
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Rodion 1:31PM (2/21/2007)
I will buy the best product out there, with the most toys, for the best price possible. I have no loyalty towards one manufacturer. Build a car that is fun to drive, practical, stylish, reliable, well priced, etc etc and I'll buy it. Buying American for sake of buying American isn't worth it. They're just average products. That's all there is to it. Competition takes care of everything...
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David 1:41PM (2/21/2007)
I've heard and been told that the "quality gap" between Detroit vehicles and Asian makes is closing and that every car has its problems. Why is there a gap to begin with? Detroit has been making cars for over 100 years. What have they not been able to figure out? What part of the engineering process is still confusing Detroit?
As far as buying only "American-made" products, most Asian cars sold in America are built here, from American sourced parts, and have been so for at least 20 years. Some Asian models sold here are unique to America. Buy what you like and ignore the "union made" label.
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Owain Ozymandias Buck 1:52PM (2/21/2007)
Call me cold, but once my car loan is paid off, I don't feel I owe a car company anything!
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RC 1:54PM (2/21/2007)
#1 said it the best, but Gettelfinger saying ford is " is in great shape" is laughable. Does he read? I'll state it again, the UAW is one of the problems in detroit.
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David 2:00PM (2/21/2007)
I hold Detroit to a higher standard than the rest of the worlds automakers. They taught the world how to make cars. However, we don't owe them a living. If they have decided to "rest on their laurels" and produce products that are beneth their abilities, then they deserve to suffer the concequences.
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Jit 2:00PM (2/21/2007)
I would have given anything to see his face when he was told about the auctioning of Chrysler. Wasn't this the same guy who said that "in order for Chrysler to get more benefits from UAW, DC must allow UAW to organise mercedes plants in America". I personally think that was the point where daimler thought I can do without Chrysler.
I get a strange feeling this could be a publicity stunt where DC proves to UAW that DC has the upper hand hoping to get a out of the world ritement package on the cheap. It like a final warning otherwise they gotta go
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Ralph 2:03PM (2/21/2007)
It is difficult to see why the UAW would be a roadblock to a GM acquisition of Chrysler. Any Asian or European company acquiring it would probably be far more difficult to deal with than GM, and far more likely to subcontract work to non-union entities.
What the UAW says and what it does aren't necessarily the same. The nightmare for the UAW is that one of the domestic automakers, including Chrysler if D-C spins it off as a separate company, files bankruptcy. They've already seen that scenario with Delphi and the airlines. The bankruptcy court can void the union contract and the company can dump the pensions on the government, leaving one lean and mean competitor emerging from bankruptcy which, in turn, eventually results in it's competitors doing the same.
I suspect that GM looks pretty good to the UAW as a Chrysler purchaser.
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Mike 2:02PM (2/21/2007)
David, your right that there are some imports built in the USA, but for the most part their built overseas. And the vehicles that are claimed to be built here aren't entirely built here, usually just final assembly or something. The Tundra is one vehicle that is supposed to be built here in the US, I think that Carolla is as well, but vehicles like the Camary aren't. Its extremely hard to follow where all the cars are built today, but the domestics still build more in this county than any of the imports do. And at least the profits off an American vehicle stay in this county, unlike an import. The quality gap is just stupid now, all the manufactures are close today that it shouldn't even be an issue, but because someone had a bad experience in the 80's their going to stick to their guns and try to ruin the American auto industry. I don't think their is any problems or confusion in Detroit, all because they have been around 100 years doesn't mean someone can beat them. If that was the case MB should make the best product, being that they invented the automobile.
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Doug R 2:30PM (2/21/2007)
#7, your argument is lame. There never was a "quality gap" in the first place. It's a stance that you guys have just chose to decide is true.
Ah, the ever so worn out "well they're made in America". Great, that's fine, they're welcome to build here if they want. It's the American way, but does it make the company American? No. Unless someone can correct me out there, the headquarters for Asian car corporations are still based in "Asia". Do they have any tie to an American heritage? Well, I guess if you acknowledge the fact that it was American GIs who liberated their side of the world making it possible for them to build, operate and compete with these companies in the free market, then I guess they do. Same as the big 3? No.
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tcase rebuilder 2:12PM (2/21/2007)
Toyota buys Chrysler and boom #1 automaker (TOYSLER)
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Doug R 2:48PM (2/21/2007)
I hope you're right #12. Getting rid of the UAW would be the best thing for all of them. More people are now aware of the real situation and have also been shown the level fo apathy coming from the UAW. Maybe the light at the end of the tunnel is finally, the relinquishment of power the UAW has over the big 3.
I can't get over how many of you have so convinced yourselves the American made cars are crap. You are so full of sh*t! Just a bunch of cattle who heard somebody say something and followed right along. MOOOO!!!!!
You don't want to buy American, go for it, you have to choose and a right to your opinion. My opinion is that one of the negative consequences of living in the world's most affluent society is the sheer number of pompous, apathetic, unappreciative spoiled brats. Spoiled brats who have no conception of what it took to create their pampered world, nor do they care.
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TriShield 2:32PM (2/21/2007)
This is primarily why GM would buy Chrysler (from a man very well connected to GM),
"The real reason behind GM's interest is that they're adopting a defensive posture as much as anything else by going after Chrysler's shining assets - the Jeep brand, the minivan franchise, the Chrysler Group's "A" assembly facilities - and that means they are willing to do just about anything to prevent those assets from falling into the competition's hands (the Chinese, VW, etc.), who are all expected to be interested in bidding on the Chrysler Group. And GM believes in this idea so strongly that it's willing to take on the huge challenge of assimilating the best bits of Chrysler into the GM system, even though the odds are stacked against them."
Read the rest,
http://www.autoextremist.com/page2.shtml#Rant
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David 2:47PM (2/21/2007)
#16, how many Detroit vehicles are made in Canada and Mexico and soon to be China? How many Detroit engines are produced in South America or oversees in Europe and Asia? How much labor does Detroit outsource oversees? The money goes into an "international pot" these days. It is no longer a case of "us and them". GM owns Saab and Isuzu and has a partnership with Toyota to build the Corolla and Tundra in California, Ford owns Jaguar, Aston Martin, Land Rover and Volvo. Chrysler has a loose partnership with Mitsubishi ahd Hyundai. The MINI, owned by BMW, was using a Chrysler engine similiar to the one used in the Neon. The best hope Detroit has is to dump the unions, provide a better work environment for its employees that makes financial sense for all parties involved and make "Quality Job One".
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Doug R 3:16PM (2/21/2007)
David, the whole reason American auto makers are in other countries is because of the situation with the UAW. The interests are intertwined? Really? No! What the hell does that have to do with possibly losing an American icon? An "international pot"? Is that like a bank in space somewhere?
I just have an appreciation for the history of my country. I'd hate to see these examples of American heritage and history go by the wayside, that's all.
You want to buy "Asian", go for it. Just don't give anymore of your self perceived pompous bullsh*t about quality.
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